FAQ's
Can I come watch a trial to see how it is run?
Yes, Please come out and visit with us. We generally run trials on one weekend a month, over 2 days. No need to call, just check the trial schedule for dates and come on out on a trial day!
I have a bird dog, can I run in the trials?
NSTRA requires your dog to be a registered pointing breed, such as a German Shorthair, English Pointer, English Setter, Brittany, Wirehair or other pointing breed. Flushing dogs, Retrievers or other breeds would not be eligible. The dog must either already be registered in AKC or certain other registries as a pointing dog OR be eligible to be registered with them as a pointing dog. You must register your dog to enter the trial prior to the draw to run in the actual trial.
My dog is a very young puppy, can it run in a trial?
Your best bet would be to come out with your young dog and observe how the trials are run and perhaps take your dog out in the field after the trial is over for the day and evaluate it compared with what you saw earlier. Talk to the Trial Chairman about taking your dog out to find left-over birds after the trial, it is usually allowed. NSTRA rules require that a dog be competitive when running in a trial. This is meant to keep an even playing field for all the other dogs that are running that day. Generally, dogs that start running in trials are between 1 and 2 years old, more or less, and have experience with pointing and retrieving birds in training situations or have been hunted over successfully before and will hold a point.
I'm anxious about bringing my dog to a trial, I don't know the rules or how to go about running in a trial.
Everyone had to start somewhere, with all the same concerns! Fortunately, NSTRA has implemented a mentor program that allows new members to go out together in the trial with an experienced member that can talk to you during the brace about virtually anything, help you with rules, where you might want your dog to go and so on, that way you are not sent out all alone on your first few ventures out in the field. It's a good idea to talk to someone, just call and you can get many questions answered. Call the trial chairman, the club president or any other club officer listed on the website.
Will I have to run my dog the first time against experienced dogs or can I pick another new dog to run against?
Our trials are all conducted by random draw by computer on the National NSTRA website, usually conducted about a week before the trial. However, whenever possible we draw our trials as Open/Amateur trials. All dogs/braces are drawn randomly but as a new member you could enter your dog in the Amateur class. This means your dogs is competing against all the other Amateur class dogs for Amateur placements even though your bracemate may be an experienced dog, known as an Open Class dog.
Will my dog be able to win at the trial?
If it scores well enough, of course! However, experience has shown that a dog new to field trials will actually learn "the game" and what is expected and how to run in a field trial over a period of time, just like a person new to it would. Most people start out with goals of enjoying the time with their dog in the field and training together and eventually progress together. You can watch your scores get better over time and that also helps you with your training program as you identify what is good and what should be worked on. We award placements for both Amateur and Open Class dogs and the beauty of the Amateur Class is that if an Amateur Class dog scores higher than the Open Class dogs they can win Open Class Placements in addition to Amateur placements.
What if I can't or don't want to shoot?
You can get an assigned gunner to help you out at the trials, if you are new your gunner can also be your mentor. Just ask the Trial Chairman.
Can my dog wear a training or tracking collar during the trial?
No. NSTRA rules do not allow any tracking or training collars to be used in the actual trial.
What can I win?
The Arizona NSTRA Region provides a large plaque to you with your first placement (First, Second or Third Place) that has our Region logo on it along with a place for your dogs picture and placement record plates. As you earn additional placements you get more plates to attach to the large plaque as a record of achievements. The National office will also record, permanently, your dogs placement history and trial placement records and after you earn 18 points your dog will be permanently recorded as a NSTRA champion dog. You can also earn eligibility to enter National trials as well.
If I'm an Arizona Region member where can I run my dog?
You can run your dog in any NSTRA region nationwide and some National trials (check eligibility requirements first).
What are the fields like?
Our fields are all on public lands, about 40 to 50 acres in size (roughly a square a quarter mile or so on each side) basically an open area with none to a very few trees in it and occasionally some gently sloping areas. They are primarily native grasses and small bushes, sufficient to provide concealment for quail. These fields are usually open on all sides and defined by markers or dirt roadways and the boundaries are very obvious but there are no fences designed to contain the dogs.
Where are the trials held at?
Our trials are almost always held on public lands, in the National Forest up north near Flagstaff in the summers and down south near Sonoita, south of Tucson, in the winters. Because of that we use horses for bird planting and judging because 4 wheelers are not allowed off-road at any of our trial grounds. This also means that dog handlers must be on foot and cannot use 4 wheelers at any time in our trials, even if they have a NSTRA waiver that allows them to use them in other trials.
What is expected of an Arizona NSTRA member at a trial?
Please remember that we are a non-profit club and members are expected to help out at the trials - no one is paid to run a trial or set up the fields and equipment or take it down when it is done. If all members that can will pitch in and help with set up, running the trial and take down after the trial the work gets done extremely quickly. The fees you pay enable the club to cover expenses, not wages for trial workers. When work needs to be done "someone" needs to do it. Please remember you ARE "someone".
Are there any snakes at the trial grounds?
Snakes are extremely rare in the northern trial grounds, but could possibly be around. In the southern trial grounds, while still rare, you are more likely to encounter a snake, however, most of the trials there occur when it is cold enough that snakes are inactive. When attending a trial in the southern trial grounds please become snake aware if temperatures reach levels that would indicate to you that snakes would become active. Consider a snake avoidance training program for your dog, it's a good insurance policy even if you are just hunting.
How many times does my dog run?
We usually run two different fields at the same time, over two days. Each field is a separate trial. You could run just once (one time on one day), twice on one day only or up to two times a day on both days, for a total of 4 times if you want.
Where do people stay if they are running on both days?
Most people like to camp out at the trial grounds and many arrive on Friday afternoon and enjoy a nice weekend camping out with friends. Some folks stay at hotels as close to the trial grounds as possible but the drive is usually at least 20 miles from the trial grounds.
I signed up to run my dog but at the last minute, maybe the night before the trial starts, I changed my mind and decided not to go. What happens?
This is a serious issue. Once you commit to the trial you have taken up an available brace that perhaps prevented someone else from attending. In addition, we are required to complete a computer drawing for brace assignments several days prior to that and the rules do not allow us to add any more dogs to the trial. According to the rules, YOU are expected to find someone to run a dog as a BYE dog to fill your spot. In addition, you are expected to pay for all the braces you signed up for. Generally, if you sign up you are expected to attend and if you decide not to there are serious consequences for running the trial. Usually, at least a weeks notice would be expected if you have to withdraw from a trial. We recognize that sometimes a major event occurs that causes someone an issue. Please contact the trial chairman or club president as soon as possible if this occurs to discuss it.
What if I have more questions?
You can call the Region President, the Trial Chairman or any member listed on the Club Information Tab at the top of this page.
Can I come watch a trial to see how it is run?
Yes, Please come out and visit with us. We generally run trials on one weekend a month, over 2 days. No need to call, just check the trial schedule for dates and come on out on a trial day!
I have a bird dog, can I run in the trials?
NSTRA requires your dog to be a registered pointing breed, such as a German Shorthair, English Pointer, English Setter, Brittany, Wirehair or other pointing breed. Flushing dogs, Retrievers or other breeds would not be eligible. The dog must either already be registered in AKC or certain other registries as a pointing dog OR be eligible to be registered with them as a pointing dog. You must register your dog to enter the trial prior to the draw to run in the actual trial.
My dog is a very young puppy, can it run in a trial?
Your best bet would be to come out with your young dog and observe how the trials are run and perhaps take your dog out in the field after the trial is over for the day and evaluate it compared with what you saw earlier. Talk to the Trial Chairman about taking your dog out to find left-over birds after the trial, it is usually allowed. NSTRA rules require that a dog be competitive when running in a trial. This is meant to keep an even playing field for all the other dogs that are running that day. Generally, dogs that start running in trials are between 1 and 2 years old, more or less, and have experience with pointing and retrieving birds in training situations or have been hunted over successfully before and will hold a point.
I'm anxious about bringing my dog to a trial, I don't know the rules or how to go about running in a trial.
Everyone had to start somewhere, with all the same concerns! Fortunately, NSTRA has implemented a mentor program that allows new members to go out together in the trial with an experienced member that can talk to you during the brace about virtually anything, help you with rules, where you might want your dog to go and so on, that way you are not sent out all alone on your first few ventures out in the field. It's a good idea to talk to someone, just call and you can get many questions answered. Call the trial chairman, the club president or any other club officer listed on the website.
Will I have to run my dog the first time against experienced dogs or can I pick another new dog to run against?
Our trials are all conducted by random draw by computer on the National NSTRA website, usually conducted about a week before the trial. However, whenever possible we draw our trials as Open/Amateur trials. All dogs/braces are drawn randomly but as a new member you could enter your dog in the Amateur class. This means your dogs is competing against all the other Amateur class dogs for Amateur placements even though your bracemate may be an experienced dog, known as an Open Class dog.
Will my dog be able to win at the trial?
If it scores well enough, of course! However, experience has shown that a dog new to field trials will actually learn "the game" and what is expected and how to run in a field trial over a period of time, just like a person new to it would. Most people start out with goals of enjoying the time with their dog in the field and training together and eventually progress together. You can watch your scores get better over time and that also helps you with your training program as you identify what is good and what should be worked on. We award placements for both Amateur and Open Class dogs and the beauty of the Amateur Class is that if an Amateur Class dog scores higher than the Open Class dogs they can win Open Class Placements in addition to Amateur placements.
What if I can't or don't want to shoot?
You can get an assigned gunner to help you out at the trials, if you are new your gunner can also be your mentor. Just ask the Trial Chairman.
Can my dog wear a training or tracking collar during the trial?
No. NSTRA rules do not allow any tracking or training collars to be used in the actual trial.
What can I win?
The Arizona NSTRA Region provides a large plaque to you with your first placement (First, Second or Third Place) that has our Region logo on it along with a place for your dogs picture and placement record plates. As you earn additional placements you get more plates to attach to the large plaque as a record of achievements. The National office will also record, permanently, your dogs placement history and trial placement records and after you earn 18 points your dog will be permanently recorded as a NSTRA champion dog. You can also earn eligibility to enter National trials as well.
If I'm an Arizona Region member where can I run my dog?
You can run your dog in any NSTRA region nationwide and some National trials (check eligibility requirements first).
What are the fields like?
Our fields are all on public lands, about 40 to 50 acres in size (roughly a square a quarter mile or so on each side) basically an open area with none to a very few trees in it and occasionally some gently sloping areas. They are primarily native grasses and small bushes, sufficient to provide concealment for quail. These fields are usually open on all sides and defined by markers or dirt roadways and the boundaries are very obvious but there are no fences designed to contain the dogs.
Where are the trials held at?
Our trials are almost always held on public lands, in the National Forest up north near Flagstaff in the summers and down south near Sonoita, south of Tucson, in the winters. Because of that we use horses for bird planting and judging because 4 wheelers are not allowed off-road at any of our trial grounds. This also means that dog handlers must be on foot and cannot use 4 wheelers at any time in our trials, even if they have a NSTRA waiver that allows them to use them in other trials.
What is expected of an Arizona NSTRA member at a trial?
Please remember that we are a non-profit club and members are expected to help out at the trials - no one is paid to run a trial or set up the fields and equipment or take it down when it is done. If all members that can will pitch in and help with set up, running the trial and take down after the trial the work gets done extremely quickly. The fees you pay enable the club to cover expenses, not wages for trial workers. When work needs to be done "someone" needs to do it. Please remember you ARE "someone".
Are there any snakes at the trial grounds?
Snakes are extremely rare in the northern trial grounds, but could possibly be around. In the southern trial grounds, while still rare, you are more likely to encounter a snake, however, most of the trials there occur when it is cold enough that snakes are inactive. When attending a trial in the southern trial grounds please become snake aware if temperatures reach levels that would indicate to you that snakes would become active. Consider a snake avoidance training program for your dog, it's a good insurance policy even if you are just hunting.
How many times does my dog run?
We usually run two different fields at the same time, over two days. Each field is a separate trial. You could run just once (one time on one day), twice on one day only or up to two times a day on both days, for a total of 4 times if you want.
Where do people stay if they are running on both days?
Most people like to camp out at the trial grounds and many arrive on Friday afternoon and enjoy a nice weekend camping out with friends. Some folks stay at hotels as close to the trial grounds as possible but the drive is usually at least 20 miles from the trial grounds.
I signed up to run my dog but at the last minute, maybe the night before the trial starts, I changed my mind and decided not to go. What happens?
This is a serious issue. Once you commit to the trial you have taken up an available brace that perhaps prevented someone else from attending. In addition, we are required to complete a computer drawing for brace assignments several days prior to that and the rules do not allow us to add any more dogs to the trial. According to the rules, YOU are expected to find someone to run a dog as a BYE dog to fill your spot. In addition, you are expected to pay for all the braces you signed up for. Generally, if you sign up you are expected to attend and if you decide not to there are serious consequences for running the trial. Usually, at least a weeks notice would be expected if you have to withdraw from a trial. We recognize that sometimes a major event occurs that causes someone an issue. Please contact the trial chairman or club president as soon as possible if this occurs to discuss it.
What if I have more questions?
You can call the Region President, the Trial Chairman or any member listed on the Club Information Tab at the top of this page.